Korean War Veteran's Remains Returned 65 Years After He Went Missing

Waltham, MA - A Korean War veteran’s remains will finally be returned home, to Waltham, 65 years after he went missing during the war.

The remains of Army Sgt. Robert Dakin will be welcomed home with full military honors.

Family, friends and the community are given a chance to honor and remember a veteran who, at 22, was declared missing on Dec. 12, 1950. Dakin was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, and was declared missing in action when his unit was attacked in the area of Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. He was later declared dead. Dakin’s remains were later identified through DNA.

On Thursday, Dec. 10, Dakin’s remains will arrive at Logan Airport on Delta Flight 883, and will be escorted by Massachusetts State Police to Joyce Funeral Home in Waltham.

A wake will be held from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home on Friday, Dec. 11.

On Saturday, Dec. 12, a funeral service is held at 10 a.m. at First Parish Church. It includes a horse drawn procession with local police, fire, veterans, bagpipers, drummers and walkers to follow Sgt. Darkin for the last ride through the center of town to Mount Feake Cemetery. The route of travel after the service is Lexington Street to Main Street to Moody Street to Maple Street to the cemetery.

Photos via Joyce Funeral Home